Sermon Resources

October 25 - "Why Baptism?"

Reflection Questions

1. What ideas about baptism did you grow up with? How has your understanding changed?
2. The sermon describes baptism as “a public pledge of allegiance to Jesus and the Kingdom of God.” What does that description help you understand about baptism?
3. Romans 6:1–14. What does this passage teach about our identity in Christ? How does baptism portray Jesus’ death and resurrection and our new life in Him?
4. The sermon compares baptism to a wedding ring. How does that illustration explain the importance of a visible symbol?
5. Read Acts 2:41, Acts 8:35–38, and Acts 16:29–34. What stands out about how people responded to the good news? How should these examples shape our approach to baptism today?
6. Read Colossians 2:12–15. What has God accomplished through Jesus’ death and resurrection? How does baptism point us toward Christ’s victory and help us remember it?
7. If someone was to say, “I don’t think I’m good enough to get baptized.” How would you respond ?
8. What loyalties compete with our allegiance to Jesus? Consider family expectations, career, financial security, political identity, personal comfort, or the desire to fit in. Where might following Jesus require a different choice?
9. Baptism belongs near the beginning of discipleship. How can we welcome and disciple people who have sincere faith but still have questions, struggles, or gaps in their biblical knowledge?
10. When you experience doubt, guilt, or condemnation, what helps you return to the promises of the gospel? How can baptism remind us of what Christ has done while keeping our confidence rooted in Him?
11. What is one step of obedience Jesus is calling you to take? It might involve exploring baptism, addressing a habit, repairing a relationship, or helping another believer grow. How can this group support you?

SCRIPTURE QUOTED DIRECTLY

Galatians 3:27 — Those baptized into Christ have “put on Christ.”

Romans 6:1–4 — Dying to sin; being baptized into Christ’s death; burial and resurrection to new life.

Ephesians 4:1 — “Live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”

Ephesians 4:22–24 — Putting off the old self, being renewed in mind, and putting on the new self.

Ephesians 5:29-31 ----- Christ and the church like husband and wife.

Matthew 28:19 — Making disciples and baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13 — Believers are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when they believe.

1 Corinthians 12:3 — No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 2:12–15 — Buried and raised with Christ; sins forgiven; charges cancelled; spiritual rulers and authorities disarmed.

Ephesians 2:2 — The former life of sin under the influence of the ruler of the unseen world.

Romans 6:13–14 — Offering ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness; sin is no longer our master.

 

BIBLICAL EVENTS REFERENCED

Acts 2:41 — About 3,000 people were baptized on the day of Pentecost.

Acts 8:35–38 — Philip explains the gospel to the Ethiopian official, who is baptized when they come to water.

Acts 16:29–34 — The Philippian jailer believes, and he and his household are baptized that night.

Acts 10:44–48 — Cornelius and his household receive the Holy Spirit before water baptism.

Matthew 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–22 — Parallel accounts of Jesus’ baptism, mentioned as an example for His followers.

Acts 8:14–17 — Baptized Samaritan believers receive the Holy Spirit through the ministry of Peter and John.

Acts 9:17–18 — Ananias visits Saul so that he may regain his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit; Saul is baptized.

Acts 19:1–7 — Those who knew only John’s baptism are baptized in Jesus’ name; the Holy Spirit comes upon them when Paul lays hands on them.

 

SCRIPTURE ALLUDED TO OR THEMATICALLY CONNECTED

These passages correspond to language or themes in the sermon, though they are not explicitly cited.

Romans 10:9–10 — Confessing Jesus as Lord and believing that God raised Him from the dead.

Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:4–7 — We cannot earn salvation through good works or religious activity.

1 Corinthians 15:3–4; 1 Peter 3:18 — Jesus died for our sins and rose again; His death brings us to God.

2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 1:30 — Our righteousness and holiness come from Christ rather than our own worthiness.

2 Corinthians 5:17 — Being a new creation in Christ.

John 3:3–8; 1 Peter 1:3 — Being born again and receiving new life.

Matthew 28:20 — The church’s responsibility to teach and disciple people after baptism.

Ephesians 5:18 — Being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 6:11–12 — Spiritual warfare against the devil and spiritual powers.

Colossians 1:13–14 — Being rescued from the domain of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of God’s Son.

Romans 8:1, 33–34 — Freedom from condemnation and accusations because of Christ.

Romans 8:15–17; John 1:12 — Believers’ identity as children of God.

Romans 8:38–39 — Nothing in all creation can separate believers from God’s love in Christ.

John 10:27–29 — No one can snatch Jesus’ people from His hand.

Philippians 3:20 — Our citizenship is in heaven.

Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16; 1 Timothy 6:15 — Jesus as “King of kings.”

Romans 6:5–11 — Being united with Christ, dead to sin, alive to God, and assured of life with Him.

1 Corinthians 6:11 — Being washed, sanctified, and justified in Jesus’ name.

1 Corinthians 15:54–57; Hebrews 2:14–15; 1 John 3:8 — Jesus’ victory over sin, death, and the devil.

 

October 18 - "Why Gather?"

 

Reflection Questions 

We gather around Jesus so that our lives can be reoriented around Jesus.

Jesus has made us a people. We gather to honor him, receive his Word and help one another follow him. Then we carry that life into the week. We keep coming because our hope is in the One who is faithful. Gather. Be renewed. Return. And gather again.

1. What is something you missed about gathering with the church during the pandemic? Was there anything that surprised you about your experience of worshipping at home?
2. Someone says, “I believe in Jesus, read Scripture, pray, and have Christian friends. Why does gathering with a church matter?” What do you appreciate about this question? How would you respond?

Gather

Read Colossians 3:1–4

1. Before Paul tells these believers how to live, he reminds them of their life in Christ. What do these verses say about who Jesus is and who we are because of him?
2. What difference can it make to confess Jesus as Lord alongside other believers? When has someone else’s faith helped you trust Jesus?

Be Renewed

Read Colossians 3:5–15

1. What do you notice about the old life we are called to put off and the new life we are called to put on? Which of these changes require us to live alongside other people?
2. Paul calls these believers “holy and dearly loved” before telling them to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, and patience. How does that starting point shape the way we approach growth—and one another’s shortcomings?

Read Colossians 3:16

1. What is shaping you right now? Consider the voices, expectations, experiences, or habits that influence what you value and how you see yourself.
2. Paul describes Christ’s message dwelling richly “among you,” with believers teaching and admonishing one another. How does this help explain why we gather? What can we receive—and contribute—that goes beyond listening to teaching on our own?
3. “The gathered church places us inside a confession that is larger than whatever we happen to be feeling in that moment.” When has hearing others sing, pray, or speak God’s truth helped you when you struggled to believe or respond?

Return and Gather Again

Read Colossians 3:17 and Hebrews 10:23–25

1. Where do you need to carry what you receive in the gathering into ordinary life this week—at home, school, work, or elsewhere?
2. Hebrews asks us to consider how to encourage one another. How might that change the question we bring to church from “What will I receive?” to also include “Who might need me here?” What could that look like this Sunday?